Child Protection Court stops underage marriage

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar Child Protection Court has stopped the alleged forced marriage of a 13-year-old girl in Phandu and ordered that she neither be married nor sent to her husband's home until she turns 16.

The court directed the girl's parents to furnish a surety bond of Rs2 million and ordered the Child Protection Officer (CPO) to submit a follow-up report every three months regarding her safety, care and protection.

In its written order, the court said it had taken timely action after receiving information about the alleged forced marriage of the minor. It directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the girl's marriage and rukhsati (departure to her husband's home) did not take place before she completed the age of 16.

The girl's father also assured the court that neither her marriage nor rukhsati would take place before she reached 16.

The court further directed the Child Protection Officer to submit quarterly follow-up reports concerning the girl's protection, care and rehabilitation. It ordered that a separate follow-up file be opened for the case and directed the court's record keeper to ensure compliance with the order.

The court was informed that the Peshawar Child Protection Unit had recovered the 13-year-old girl, identified as "K", during an intervention. She was 13 years and six months old at the time. The Child Protection Officer subsequently filed an application before the court seeking her safe custody, protection and rehabilitation.

During the proceedings, the girl was produced before the court in the presence of social worker Muhammad Haris Khan and Child Protection Unit psychologist Jannat Mahmood. Her paternal grandparents and their lawyer, Advocate Muhammad Irshad Mohmand, were also present.

The girl's father, grandfather and grandmother denied allegations that she had been married, telling the court that only an engagement ceremony had been held.

During the proceedings, the girl was temporarily placed at the protective care unit of Zamong Kor.